Lamp structures

ABSTRACT

A standing lamp structure in which the base and stem are defined by a unitary acrylic rod which is spiraled to form the base, the center of the spiral leading upwardly to form the stem which terminates in a lamp socket. Running through the rod in bores therein is a pair of parallel wires to conduct current to the socket, the bores having a reflective surface to render the wires effectively imperceptible.

United States Patent Hamburger [54] LAMP STRUCTURES [72] Inventor: Peter R. Hamburger, 434 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y. 10003 [22] Filed: March 30, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 23,707

[ Sept. 5, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,032,053 3/1953 France ..240/1E 640,672 6/1962 Italy ..240/88 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Queisser Assistant Examiner-Marvin Smollar Attorney-Robert S. Scobey, Robert S. Dunham, Pem E. Hennin ger, Lester W. Clark, Gerald W. Griffin, Thomas F. Moran, Howard J. Churchill, R. Bradlee Boal, Christopher C. Dunham and Henry T. Burke [5 7] ABSTRACT A standing lamp structure in which the base and stem are defined by a unitary acrylic rod which is spiraled to form the base, the center of the spiral leading upwardly to form the stem which terminates in a lamp socket. Running through the rod in bores therein is a .pair of parallel wires to conduct current to the socket,

the bores having a reflective surface to render the wires effectively imperceptible.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures LAMP STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention relates generally to lamp structures, and in particular to a standing lamp structure whose base and stem are defined by a bent acrylic rod having wires running therethrough to conduct current to the lamp.

The conventional standing lamp structure, which may take the form of a tableor floor-lamp, is constituted by a base or pedestal and a stem anchored in the base to support a lamp socket at an elevated position above the base. The stem is generally hollow to accommodate an electric cable for conducting current to the socket. The socket usually includes a bracket to support a shade which surrounds the lamp.

Traditional-lamp structures of this type are assembled of separate components that are screwed or otherwise joined together. Such structures are in many respects incompatible with current design trends in furnishings. These trends reflect existing directions in the field of abstract art and so-called minimal art, which seek to avoid ornamental detail and to create designs which are characterized by simplicity, transparency and geometric I forms free of elaboration. Moreover, in all existing lamp structures, whether of the wall, table, floor or ceiling type, the lamp support is combined with an electrical cable and in no instance except where the lamp hangs from the electrical wire does the structural support also function as the electrical line. Since current design trends seek to eliminate redundancy, the existing combination of a structural support and line for the same lamp violates the rule against redundancy.

Thus chairs, tables, cabinets and many other articles of furniture are now fabricated of clear plastic or acrylic material, and in simple, geometric forms. Existing lamp designs, even those which profess to be modern in style, are difficult to harmonize with see-through articles of furniture, for the lamps are generally made of metal or wood components and lack compatible design qualities.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is the main object of this invention to provide a non-redundant modern lamp structure for wall, table, ceiling or floor application whose base and stem are defined by a unitary acrylic structural rod which also functions as the electrical line and which, when desired, imparts a transparent quality to the structure which is compatible with modern design trends.

A significant aspect of the invention resides in the fact that the wires for conducting current to the lamp socket are embedded in or run through the rod, and are reflectively coated to render them virtually imperceptible, so that the transparent effect is not disturbed by the wires.

Also an object of the invention is to provide a lamp of excellent structural strength which may be manufactured and sold at low cost.

Briefly stated, in one embodiment of the invention these objects are accomplished in a lamp structure whereinthe base and stem are defined by a unitary acrylic rod, the rod being spiraled to form the base, .the

center of the spiral leading upwardly to form the stem which terminates in a socket. The wires for the socket are embedded in or run through the rod and are reflectively coated to effectively obscure their presence therein, the wires at one end of the rod terminating in a connector and at the other end in the socket.

OUTLINE OF DRAWING For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following specification to be read in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lamp structure in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows in perspective the upper portion of the stem section of the acrylic rod included in the structure;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section taken through said upper portion and showing the lamp socket supported thereby;

FIG. 4 illustrates in section the base termination of the lamp; and

FIG. 5 is a modified form of lamp socket for the structure.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a lamp structure in accordance with the invention is constituted by an extruded, unitary thermoplastic rod, generally designated by numeral 10, which is bent to define a base 11 and a stem 12 which support a socket 13 for a standard electrical lamp 14. The socket in turn may be provided with a bracket (not shown) for supporting a suitable shade.

Rod 10 is preferably fabricated of acrylic-plastic material which possesses crystal clarity as well as certain optical, mechanical and electrical properties that render it suitable for present purposes. Acrylics have high scratch-and abrasion-resistance and will withstand food, oils, nonoxidyzing acids and household alkalis. Acrylic-plastics are slow-burning and, with certain additives, may be classified as self-extinguishing. Since they burn with less smoke and toxicity than any other lighting fixture or glazing plastics, they are highly rated for these applications in building codes and insurance plans. The combination of weatherability, high dielectric strength and low moisture absorption has resulted in the widespread use of acrylic material for high-voltage line spacers and cable clamps. Acrylic-plastics may be injection-, compression-, extrusionand blowmolded.

In the present invention, the thermoplastic acrylic rod is formed by an extrusion technique. The rod may be extruded jointly with a pair of flexible electrical conductor wires 15 and 16, as shown in FIG. 2, which are disposed in parallel relation. Forced into the upper end of rod 10, as shown in FIG. 2, are terminal elements 17 and 18 which are connected to wires 15 and 16, the elements serving also to mount conductive brackets 19 and 20 on the upper end of the rod. In some instances, three wires may be used, and it is not essential that the wires run in linear paths, for the wires may, for instance, be spiraled through the rod.

In practice, the rod may be extruded with longitudinally-extending bores into which the wires are subsequently threaded. In this case, the internal surface of the bores may be abraded to provide light scattering, so that the bores effectively reflect light, the result being similar to that obtained by silvering the wires.

The electrical contacts of lamp socket 13 are connected by screws 21 and 22 to the brackets, thereby connecting wires and 16 to the socket and at the same time supporting the socket on the stem end of the rod. The socket is surrounded by a protective sleeve 23 which is held to the end of the rod by an insulating packing collar 24.

A similar arrangement is provided at the base termination of the rod where terminals 25 and 26 are connected to wires 15 and 16, as shown in FIG. 4. The two leads of a cable 27 are connected to terminals 25 and 26, the connections being protected by an insulated connector cap 28. The cable terminates in an outlet plug 29, as shown in FIG. 1.

Since an acrylic rod is thermoplastic in nature and the wires embedded therein are flexible, it may readily be bent into the desired shape, this being accomplished by first heating the rod to the softening point of the plastic. In order to form the combined base and stem in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the rod is bent into a spiral base formation whose center leads upwardly to the stem. The invention, however, is not limited to bent lamp structures, and in some instances the rod may be used in straight form to afford both structural support and an electrical conduit.

The rod has crystal clarity and, in order to obscure the presence of the wires therein, the wires are reflectively coated with a layer of aluminum, silver or other highly reflective material. In this way, the wires in the rod are rendered virtually imperceptible so that the lamp appears to have no power line. To enhance the safety factor, one may further coat the wires with a transparent coating of insulating material such as Mylar, which is applied in solution form and, when dried and cured, provides a clear protective film which electrically isolates the current-carrying wires from the acrylic rod.

Acrylic material has low index of refraction (1.49) and a high degree of uniformity, so that the rod behaves optically as a light conductor. Thus, light rays impinging on one end of the rod will be transmitted to the other end by reason of multiple internal reflection and the rod will appear to be uniformly illuminated along its curved path.

This optical effect is used to advantage in the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, wherein a double light socket 30 is supported on the stem end of rod 10. Socket 30 has an upper section 30A for receiving a relatively high-wattage lamp 14 for room illumination and a lower section 30B to receive a small bulb 31 whose rays strike the end of rod 10 and are transmitted through the length of the bent rod.

Thus when the lamp is turned on, one has the impression, because the rod itself is illuminated, that light is poured into the lamp through the rod and is ejected therefrom by bulb 14, thereby producing a novel lighting effect. In practice, the rod may have any crosssectional form, such as circular, oval or square.

While there have been shown and described preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apprggiated that many changes and modificat ions may be e therein W1 out, however, departing rom the essential spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A lamp structure comprising a rigid 'rod of thermoplastic, heat-deformable and light-transmissive material encasing and in contact with spaced-apart electrical conductors extending longitudinally therethrough, each of said electrical conductors having a light-reflective outer surface for reflecting light outwardly therefrom to obscure the presence of said electrical conductors encased within and in contact with said rod, said rod being formable to a desired shape upon the application of heat.

2. A lamp structure according to claim 1, wherein said electrical conductors are coated with silver.

3. A lamp structure according to claim 2, wherein said rod is fabricated of acrylic material.

4. A lamp structure comprising a rigid rod of thermoplastic, heat-deformable and light-transmissive material encasing and in contact with electrical conductors longitudinally therethrough within bores in said rod, the internal surface of each of said bores being abraded to reflect light outwardly therefrom to obscure the presence of said electrical conductors encased within and in contact with said rod, said rod being formable to a desired shape upon the application of heat.

5. A lamp structure according to claim 4, wherein said rod is fabricated of acrylic material. 

1. A lamp structure comprising a rigid rod of thermoplastic, heat-deformable and light-transmissive material encasing and in contact with spaced-apart electrical conductors extending longitudinally therethrough, each of said electrical conductors having a light-reflective outer surface for reflecting light outwardly therefrom to obscure the presence of said electrical conductors encased within and in contact with said rod, said rod being formable to a desired shape upon the application of heat.
 2. A lamp structure according to claim 1, wherein said electrical conductors are coated with silver.
 3. A lamp structure according to claim 2, wherein said rod is fabricated of acrylic material.
 4. A lamp structure comprising a rigid rod of thermoplastic, heat-deformable and light-transmissive material encasing and in contact with electrical conductors longitudinally therethrough within bores in said rod, the internal surface of each of said bores being abraded to reflect light outwardly therefrom to obscure the presence of said electrical conductors encased within and in contact with said rod, said rod being formable to a desired shape upon the application of heat.
 5. A laMp structure according to claim 4, wherein said rod is fabricated of acrylic material. 